Library, Heritage Trails plant swap program will happen all month

Gardening requires quite a bit of effort and supplies that can be very hard to get your hands on the best of days. However, this year’s Garden

Swap is once again aiming to help the community reach their horticulture goals.

The Garden Swap is a staple for the St. Marys Community Public Library, and Adult Services Coordinator Beth Keuneke has been working

hard with the Heritage Trails Park District to make it a good one. Much like last year, instead of focusing on a single night during the month, it’ll be held throughout the month for all participants.

“We liked having a longer period of time to swap, bringing and taking of plants, plant divisions, and garden supplies last year,” stated Keuneke. While the circumstances hadn’t been

ideal last year, the way it was done did seem to work well. “So we are doing it like we did last year and having a cart and/or wagon outside the main doors of the library during library

hours from Monday, May 9th to Saturday, May 21.”

While it was originally done to address concerns involving the pandemic, it did meet with a lot of success that they’re looking to replicate. As long as something can be used or planted,

people can give and take whatever they can when the swap starts.

“This gives folks a longer time period to dig up and bring in plants, then the couple of hours

one night of the year like we have done it in the past,” Keuneke explained. It does get more people together and makes sure that everyone gets

a chance to give or take, making it all the more worthwhile to people with limited time to spare.

Of course, there is more than just the swap, with a speaker planned for the event on May 11 from 6 to 7 p.m.

“I planned the event with Terry Mcdonald of Heritage Trails Park District,” said Keuneke.

She’s excited for the speaker this year, who will be Lawrence Kill, Horticulture Chair of the Auglaize County Fair. “She arranged for the speaker for this year.”

Kill is planning on talking about his own experiences as a chair and judge, as well as what it takes to grow plants as entries for a fair.

For more information on the Garden Swap call 419-394-7471 or email tstmaryshelp@seolibraries.org. For more information on the Heritage Trails Park District email at info@htparks.

org.